2026 Building Diversity Awards Finalists
The collaborative IPD team — including MBAC, Eng-Spire, and multiple engineering and trade partners — has demonstrated measurable impact through innovative hiring and procurement strategies. By partnering with social enterprises such as EMBERS Staffing and Indigenous-owned businesses, the team has created meaningful employment pathways for equity-deserving workers while advancing mentorship and long-term career development opportunities.
Their results are exceptional: 44% of the project workforce self-identifies as equity-seeking, and all new hires on the project identify as equity-deserving individuals. Through transparency, collaboration, and industry leadership, the Ambleside IPD team is helping transform Edmonton’s construction sector into one that is more inclusive, community-focused, and socially impactful.
Through Aangen’s “Chance for Change” program, Gurbeen has delivered measurable community impact: creating 35+ sustainable jobs, preparing and serving over 100,000 meals, and supporting housing stability, health access, and skills development for some of Toronto’s most vulnerable residents. Her model integrates employment training with real-world service delivery, ensuring participants gain both income and long-term pathways to stability.
What distinguishes Gurbeen is her ability to challenge traditional funding and service models. Operating without reliance on government grants, she has built a self-sustaining ecosystem powered by social procurement, partnerships, and community-based enterprise. This approach embeds Community Benefits principles directly into daily operations—turning food systems, cleaning services, and catering contracts into engines of equity and inclusion.
Beyond operations, Gurbeen is a lifelong advocate for women’s empowerment, youth leadership, and systemic change, mentoring emerging leaders while advancing policy conversations on equity and access. Her leadership proves that community benefits are not theoretical; they are lived, operational, and scalable.
What distinguishes EMBERS is its full wraparound employment ecosystem. Workers are not only placed into jobs, but they are also supported with free PPE, tools, transportation, meals, safety certification, and ongoing training that transitions them from day labour into stable, long-term careers in construction. This removes systemic barriers that traditionally prevent equity-seeking groups from accessing and sustaining work in the industry.
As both a social enterprise and procurement partner, EMBERS transforms labour spending into measurable community impact. In 2023 alone, it supported over 1,750 workers and generated $14M in revenue reinvested directly into wages and supports, with a $4.13 social return for every dollar invested.
Through projects like the New St. Paul’s Hospital and Ambleside Integrated Project, EMBERS, proves that inclusive hiring is not aspirational; it is operational, scalable, and transformative.
Its FY25 “Count Me In” survey achieved a leading 77% belonging score, with world-class benchmarks in integrating differences (87%) and acceptance (80%). Representation of equity-deserving groups continues to rise in alignment with the communities it serves, including increased representation of racialized employees, women in leadership, Indigenous staff, and 2SLGBTQIA+ employees.
The organization has transformed recruitment and procurement practices to reduce bias and expand access, including inclusive hiring language, diverse interview panels, and structured supplier engagement that supports SMEs and regional vendors. Its Procurement EDI Maturation Survey further ensures accountability in advancing anti-racist and inclusive practices across all vendors.
Through inclusive onboarding, leadership coaching, employee resource groups, and continuous data-driven improvement, Infrastructure Ontario has built a workplace culture where equity is embedded, measured, and actively advanced across every level of the organization.
Committed to continuous growth, Michael balances full-time work in high-rise construction with daily night school while successfully completing both Plumbing Basic and Intermediate levels. He has further distinguished himself by earning certifications including Gas Technician, Urban Green Council training, equipment operation licenses, and a PMP designation. These accomplishments reflect both initiative and long-term vision.
Beyond technical skill, Michael demonstrates strong leadership qualities through accountability, collaboration, and mentorship among peers. He represents the next generation of construction leaders, disciplined, ambitious, and committed to excellence in the skilled trades.
His leadership on the Moss Park Station (Ontario Line) Community Benefits Agreement stands out as a defining achievement. Through research, coalition-building, and persistent advocacy, he helped secure commitments from Metrolinx for local hiring, community liaison structures, and community arts investment, while strengthening accountability through public engagement and stakeholder working groups. He has also advanced CBAs for civic projects such as the Moss Park Library and community centre revitalization.
Ahsen’s impact extends across youth employment, tenant protection, and social infrastructure planning. He has mentored BIPOC youth, supported workforce pathways through organizations such as Building Up and Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area, and co-founded CareerLaunchpad, supporting over 200 newcomer youth into employment and entrepreneurship pathways.
Recognized as a Top 30 Under 30 Global Changemaker, Ahsen exemplifies community benefits leadership that is strategic, data-driven, and deeply rooted in lived experience, ensuring development truly serves the communities it impacts.
Her advocacy has helped redefine traditional workforce development practices by proving that equitable access requires more than recruitment alone — it requires sustained support, belonging, and opportunity. Through partnerships with Irving Shipbuilding and Nova Scotia Community College, the Academy’s Shipbuilding Cohort achieved exceptional outcomes, including full-time employment offers for all graduates and pathways toward Red Seal certification. Senator Bernard’s visionary leadership continues to strengthen community benefits practices while advancing diversity, economic inclusion, and long-term prosperity for future generations.
Through intentional mentorship and structured career pathways, diverse employees are consistently supported to grow within the organization. Hinal Shah, a newcomer to Canada, advanced from assistant to Lead Project Coordinator overseeing multiple custom home builds. Taliesa, a Black Canadian woman, progressed from Project Coordinator to Project Manager, now leading a $10M+ portfolio—demonstrating rare upward mobility for Black women in the sector. Apprentices and trade-track workers receive hands-on rotational training across framing, mechanical, and finishing scopes, supported by direct access to senior leadership.
Wiltshire Homes also invests in future talent through its Jr. Home Builder Summer Camp, co-led by the founders’ children, introducing youth to construction careers early and intentionally. Combined with supplier development of Black-led trade partners and sustained leadership visibility, Wiltshire Homes is building a more inclusive, representative, and opportunity-rich construction industry.
The organization has translated its DEI commitments into practice through equitable recruitment, structured apprenticeship pathways, and inclusive onboarding systems that create accessible entry points for women, Indigenous peoples, racialized workers, youth, and newcomers. By standardizing employment practices across union and non-union roles, Houle strengthens pay equity while expanding opportunities across multiple career pathways, from apprenticeships to project management.
Houle’s participation in major public infrastructure projects—including hospitals, schools, and civic facilities—further demonstrates its alignment with community benefit goals and inclusive workforce priorities. Its mentorship-driven apprenticeship model and strong safety culture ensure that new hires are supported both technically and psychologically, enabling long-term success and retention.
Through consistent investment in people, community infrastructure, and workforce development, Houle Electric stands out as a contractor that turns inclusion into measurable action and industry-wide impact.
Through its Multi-Year DEI Action Plan and Built for Respect mandate, Tridel has established clear expectations for inclusion, reinforced through performance-based accountability and organization-wide training. The evolution of its IDEA Team further strengthens this commitment by expanding focus on accessibility and belonging as core business priorities.
Tridel’s inclusive recruitment systems, including AI-supported screening, accessible hiring processes, and partnerships with community organizations such as Toronto Community Housing and Youth Employment Services, have expanded access to construction and real estate careers for equity-deserving groups. Its social procurement strategy has directed over $1 million to diverse-owned and social enterprises, while its community investments exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars in housing, youth programming, and scholarships.
Equally significant is Tridel’s leadership in community benefits delivery, including the Regent Park and Alexandra Park revitalizations, where resident-led decision-making and targeted local hiring have created tangible, place-based outcomes. Across all areas, Tridel consistently demonstrates that inclusion, when operationalized, can drive both social value and industry transformation.
Each year, the local engages more than 20 community benefit groups, providing structured exposure to the trade through introductory training programs that create accessible pathways into apprenticeship. A cornerstone of its success is its partnership with the Hammer Heads program, which has helped secure multiple Project Labour Agreements across the GTA and expanded opportunities for marginalized youth entering the construction sector.
Local 30’s commitment to inclusion is embedded in its culture. Its Women’s Committee leads fundraising and advocacy efforts, including participation in the Women Build Nations Conference, while also driving community initiatives such as food drives. Recruitment practices are intentionally inclusive, supported by multilingual tools, diverse outreach, and leadership representation, including the hiring of female organizers in pioneering roles.
With apprentices representing over 80 countries of origin, Local 30 exemplifies how organized labour can drive equity, belonging, and opportunity across the construction industry.
Her mentorship stands out for its consistency and depth. Lisa creates safe, supportive environments where mentees feel heard, valued, and empowered to ask questions, navigate challenges, and grow professionally. She helps individuals understand workplace dynamics, strengthen communication skills, and build the confidence to engage effectively with unions, contractors, and broader industry systems. Her approach combines technical insight with lived experience, including honest conversations about systemic barriers and equity challenges in the construction sector.
Mentees consistently describe her as a steady, reliable presence who invests deeply in their growth, not only improving their technical understanding but shaping how they think, communicate, and lead. Through her guidance, emerging professionals develop stronger self-awareness, resilience, and professional judgement.
Lisa Carrington is a mentor who does more than advise, she transforms potential into confidence and capability, leaving a lasting impact on every individual she supports and on the broader industry culture.
His mentorship goes beyond guidance; he creates systems of growth. Through his role as Americas Rail Skills Manager, he leads a learning network of 100+ professionals, designs technical training programs, delivers customized rail engineering courses, and enables mentees to pursue research, publishing, and conference presentations. He also actively secures funding and opportunities that allow young engineers to expand their expertise and visibility in the industry.
Luv’s influence extends across the sector through AREMA, where he mentors, speaks, and hosts widely recognized outreach initiatives including the podcast “Rails and Rising Stars.” His leadership has strengthened inclusion, accelerated technical capability, and helped emerging professionals see themselves as future industry leaders. Through intentional mentorship and systemic impact, Luv is shaping a more inclusive, skilled, and empowered next generation of builders.
Since 2023, TCHC and Tridel have worked closely with the Community Benefits Oversight Working Group (CBOWG) to ensure community voices directly shaped the process and outcomes. With support from Monumental Consulting, they co-designed a phased resident engagement strategy that informed the creation of three community voting packages. Through surveys, consultations, workshops, and one-on-one engagement opportunities, residents determined how investments would support employment services, scholarships, skills training, community spaces, and local business development.
TCHC’s leadership has transformed community benefits from a policy commitment into measurable, resident-led social and economic impact that strengthens equity, opportunity, and long-term community prosperity.
This union-led model integrates education, mentorship, financial support, and direct employment pathways, ensuring that equity-deserving workers are not only trained, but fully supported to succeed. Programs such as the Personal Support Worker pathway, Administrative Assistant training, and the Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) Career Pathway remove long-standing barriers related to credentialing, language, cost, and system navigation. Wraparound supports—including case management, exam preparation, and cultural integration—ensure participants are set up for long-term success, not just entry-level access.
Through the WorkersFirst Digital Hiring Hall, SEIU Healthcare directly connects trained workers to employers, strengthening retention and reducing reliance on precarious staffing models. The organization’s impact is evident in increased job readiness, successful transitions into regulated healthcare roles, and strong participant testimonials highlighting renewed confidence and a sense of belonging.
SEIU Healthcare is not simply improving workforce diversity, it is transforming how equitable access to healthcare careers is built and sustained across the system.
Her apprenticeship journey reflects sustained discipline and resilience, culminating in her Red Seal certification. Rather than treating apprenticeship as a personal milestone alone, she used it as a platform to uplift others—actively engaging with initiatives such as Skills Ontario to introduce young women to skilled trades and broaden pathways into construction careers.
Beyond the job site, Stephanie has developed into a visible industry leader through keynote speaking, mentorship, and advocacy work with organizations including CUPE 4400, the Black North Initiative, and Skilled Trades Ontario. Through her platform @ohso_electrical, she continues to demystify the trades and inspire the next generation. Stephanie is not only advancing in her career—she is actively transforming the industry.
Earl’s leadership was first recognized through his work on the Trinity Park revitalization initiative, which earned recognition from the Toronto Association of BIAs and has since evolved into a year-round program supporting local businesses and enhancing public realm vibrancy. He consistently transforms construction challenges into opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and community benefit.
As a leader, Earl excels in stakeholder engagement, bringing together diverse partners including transit agencies, developers, and business organizations to align priorities and resolve complex issues. His ability to build trust, communicate clearly, and maintain momentum across competing interests has made him a key connector in the downtown construction ecosystem.
Beyond operations, Earl actively champions inclusive economic participation by fostering partnerships with community organizations and supporting equitable engagement practices. His forward-thinking approach, mentorship, and commitment to collaboration reflect the qualities of a next-generation leader shaping more inclusive, responsive, and community-centered urban development.
On the job, participants receive hands-on training, supervision, and mentorship from staff who often share lived experience, creating a culture of trust, belonging, and accountability. This support continues beyond placement through Building Up’s alumni program, which provides ongoing coaching, job search assistance, and career navigation.
In apprenticeship pathways, Building Up partners with unions such as LiUNA Local 506 to connect participants directly to unionized training opportunities, ensuring access to long-term, stable careers in the trades.
Leadership development is equally intentional, with multiple graduates advancing into supervisory and management roles within the organization itself. With a leadership team that is 50% women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ2S+, Building Up demonstrates that inclusive hiring is not just possible in construction; it is a proven model for workforce transformation, equity, and community wealth-building.
As a mentor and trainer, Kwame delivers blueprint reading instruction to early construction professionals, building technical literacy and confidence on site. His teaching approach emphasizes practical application, safety awareness, and interpretation of architectural and engineering drawings. He is recognized for strong leadership, communication, and team coordination skills across multidisciplinary construction environments.
His work integrates advanced project management tools such as MS Project, Bluebeam, and Procore to ensure quality, efficiency, and compliance across complex construction projects. Kwame is committed to developing skilled professionals and strengthening Canada's construction workforce through mentorship training.
At the core of its impact is a 12-week paid Skilled Trades Training Program designed specifically for individuals facing systemic barriers to employment, including newcomers, Indigenous peoples, youth, people with disabilities, and individuals with lived experience of the justice system or addiction recovery. Since 2016, this program has supported over 400 trainees, with outcomes that far exceed industry norms for inclusion in the trades, including 39% women and 20% Indigenous participants.
Beyond training, Community Builders invests heavily in wraparound supports such as housing stabilization, mental health services, transportation, safety certification, and mentorship, ensuring trainees are truly job-ready and supported beyond the job site.
Its GIVE BACK program further extends impact by delivering renovations and builds for community organizations such as Youth Haven Shelter and the Barrie Food Bank, reinforcing a circular model where construction activity directly strengthens local communities.
Led by Founder, President & CEO Andrea L. Robinson, a seasoned procurement and infrastructure expert with over 20 years of experience, RGM brings exceptional depth in fairness advisory, P3 delivery, dispute resolution, and strategic sourcing. Her background includes senior roles at Infrastructure Ontario and global consulting firms, supported by credentials including an LL.M. in Infrastructure and Energy, PMP designation, and Qualified Arbitrator status.
With a lean, highly specialized team of seven, RGM delivers procurement strategy, fairness oversight, contract advisory, training, and proposal development services. Known for integrity, precision, and defensible outcomes, RGM is increasingly recognized as a trusted contractor to watch in Canada’s evolving infrastructure and procurement landscape.
The firm is led by a Black entrepreneur with demonstrated business acumen in construction delivery, restoration strategy, and client-focused project execution. The leadership’s commitment to quality construction, inspired design, and exemplary service underpins every project, ensuring both structural integrity and aesthetic preservation.
Kairos Hills distinguishes itself through its ability to preserve historic and culturally significant buildings while meeting modern performance standards. Its expertise in general contracting and heritage restoration positions it as a trusted partner for property owners seeking careful, detail-oriented work.
With effective communication systems, strong customer service, and consistent problem-solving capability, Kairos Hills Services Inc. is emerging as a contractor to watch in Ontario’s evolving construction landscape.
Thank you to the judges for their thoughtful and rigorous work in reviewing this year’s Building Diversity Awards nominations. The Nominations Committee, made up of industry professionals and diversity, equity, reconciliation, and inclusion experts, carefully assessed over 150 submissions. Each entry was evaluated for alignment with the Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB) and Canadian Community Benefits Agreement standards.
Judges were tasked with shortlisting three nominees per category and selecting just 10 award recipients. It was a challenging process, as many candidates demonstrated real, measurable impact in advancing equity and community inclusion. Finalists were evaluated using a structured rubric that focused on effectiveness, context, and meaningful community engagement.
From this exceptional pool of finalists, the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) Board of Directors will also present three individuals with the Community Impact Award, the Leading on Diversity Champion Award, and the Building Diversity Legacy Award. These awards recognize long-standing supporters of TCBN’s mission to advance community benefits across the Toronto region. We are grateful for the dedication and expertise the committee brought to this important work.